Lawmakers seek Danbury rail electrification

Published 9:51 pm, Saturday, February 2, 2013

DANBURY -- Two area lawmakers are trying to bring more attention to the Metro-North Danbury Branch rail line in the hopes of garnering enough funds to begin electrifying the system.

State Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican who represents several towns along the branch line including Ridgefield and Bethel, and state Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, have submitted legislation calling for electrification for the line. The measure will be the subject of a public hearing Monday before the Legislature's Transportation Committee.

Boucher said there have been reports circulating in Hartford that there may be a $40 million pot of money available for transportation improvements and that officials in the state's southwestern corner hope to tap that money for another rail line.

Electrifying the line, Boucher said, would allow the cars to be compatible with the New Haven line and would result in improved service for the thousands of commuters who use the line.

Lavielle said, "Metro-North is the artery for the state's most important zone of economic activity, and the Danbury Branch line links two of the most important urban centers, Norwalk and Danbury, and all the towns in between. Yet it is the most antiquated rail line in the country."

Boucher noted that while other lines in the state have been improved through the years the Danbury Branch line continues to suffer from neglect.

"The thousands of commuters who count on this line to get them to and from work every day deserve to have a working and suitable train system," Boucher said. "Right now it is not up to par and that is a problem. It has to be a priority."

Improvements to the line, she said, would increase property values in towns along the line while fostering economic development opportunities.